Wifey was on a cupboard cleaning mission this afternoon and by chance found some genealogy papers I'd put away.
Of particular interest was a document I'd scanned from microfilm at the National Archives branch office in Denver. Stephen Woodrum got a lawyer to help him claim his Revolutionary War pension and 100 acres of "bounty land" in Virginia.
During the war, soldiers in the Continental Army served for a fixed duration after which they could simply go home. General Washington told the Continental Congress the pension and bounty land was needed to keep veterans in the fight. Congress said, "You bet!"
So Poor Old Steve duly appeared to get his just pension and land. This is a transcription - the copy is nearly unreadable because of spelling at the time - like that appears to be 'congrefs' for congress. And the different shape of various letters. Notice the transcript shows, "his mark". Steve was illiterate.
It was closing time, but I whined around until I could see if "I" got "my" 100 acres in Va. A volunteer got a book and quickly flipped to the right page. Steve Woodrum indeed got $26 and change initial pension payment - which was a considerable sum in those days - and his 100 acres of land.
Unfortunately, Steve passed away 2 weeks later. The land went to his daughter and SiL.
Steve was a genuine patriot - I am DAMN proud of him and damn proud to be related! SW
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